Last year, after a military family had exhausted all options to help their special needs son through the public school system, they decided to homeschool him. At the beginning of the 2008–2009 school year, they properly filed their notice of intent and began their home education program.

However, the Denver Public Schools did not willingly give up its student. In response to the family’s notice of intent, the principal notified the family that their son was truant, that their “request” to homeschool was denied, and that he had initiated an attendance filing with the juvenile court system.

The family contacted HSLDA for help, and Senior Counsel Chris Klicka wrote to the school principal. In his letter, Klicka explained that the parents were exercising their right to choose their child’s form of education, that they were in full compliance with Colorado law, and furthermore, that their son’s needs are all being met privately.

The family has not heard back from the school, nor have they been contacted by the court.